Lee van Corteza: Long overdue recognition
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- Start date
Here's some account of Corteza's game told by one of the game's commentator Ed Picson.
http://www.mb.com.ph/SPRT2007040391112.html
Corteza – this kid is good
By Ed Picson
LEE VAN Corteza looks younger than his 28 years. He also talks and acts like he doesn’t have a care in the world. Last Saturday however, from the time he was introduced as one of the finalists in the 2nd BSCP National Pool Championships, Corteza had affected a dead-serious mien, so uncharacteristic of his normally easy disposition.
The reed-thin Davao native, who looks even younger with the pair of earrings he sports, looked almost dour as he took his place across the other finalist, Marlon Manalo, who in contrast, was smiling and confident.
The night before, the two had disposed of separate rivals. Manalo made short work of Antonio Lining (11-5), who seemed unable to get good positions on the table, usually having to push-out after his break.
Corteza on the other hand, figured in what has to be the most dramatic match of the tournament against the revered Dennis Orcullo.
He led early in the match, only to have ex-fisherman from Surigao catch him in the end-game, forcing a hill-hill duel in a race-to-11 duel. Orcullo, having won the lag, broke in the 21st rack and after a brief exchange, found himself with only four balls left to sink.
But there was a difficult shot at the 5-ball, which loomed as Corteza’s golden opportunity to come back to the table, if Orcullo missed it.
Dennis, the Philippines’ "Money-game King" successfully executed a masterful double bank shot that had the crowd at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium going wild.
It was only a matter of time, and Corteza admitted afterward that after that spectacular shot by Orcullo, he was resigned to defeat. But the gods of pool had other things in mind. Faced with a relatively simple shot to the 6-ball in the side-pocket, Orcullo inexplicably flubbed it.
Corteza, wide-eyed and gleeful, could not thank his lucky stars enough as he approached the table and claimed his ticket to the finals.
We observed Orcullo nailed to his seat by his lonesome, staring blankly at the now-empty table, chomping vigorously on gum for at least 10 minutes after the match. Corteza came over to our TV commentary position and bemusedly remarked to us in Visayan, "Can you believe what happened, ‘noy? I don’t even know how I sank those last three balls! I didn’t think I was going back to the table!"
His championship duel with Manalo the following day was no less dramatic. After several racks of textbook style play between the two, Manalo was ahead in what was shaping up to be a dreary match marked by several errors by the two seemingly tense finalists.
Then Corteza suddenly changed gears, finally flashing his usual smile and derring-do. I had earlier remarked that when "Van-Van" was on, he was almost unbeatable. He apparently flicked the "on" button as the game went into the crucial stages.
Corteza took on some shots that stumped everyone, including me and my fellow ABC Sports commentators Bob Guerrero and Emil de la Paz (Andy Jao was attending his son’s graduation at the Ateneo; congratulations, Atom!). This led Guerrero to remark "I guess the mark of a good pool player is when he makes us commentators look bad".
Several times Corteza defied smart and prudent play and instead fired off dazzling but danger-fraught shots which would normally be anathema in such a situation with R500,000 on the line. But Corteza apparently plays best when he taunts the odds and just goes for it.
Needless to say, Corteza is our National Pool Champion for 2007. Manalo settled for the P250K runner-up prize. The final score, 13-11.
Which takes me back to the 2001 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur when Corteza snatched the gold medal from his idol, the legendary Efren "Bata" Reyes. As Corteza downplayed his victory, typically attributing it to luck, Reyes whispered in my ear in Tagalog: "Don’t believe him. His play here had nothing to do with luck, that kid is good."
* * * * *
A word about the tournament…it was one of the best-organized and well-run tournaments I have ever covered. From the format, pairings, scheduling and other myriad details, the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines showed why international players and officials have signified their desire to come back for more after the initial staging of the World Pool Championship here last year.
As a matter of fact, several foreign players had requested to be allowed to participate in the National Championships, but BSCP chair Yen Makabenta politely turned them down, saying the tournament was for Filipinos only.
Kudos to Makabenta, BSCP President Ernie Fajardo and their staff for a successful tournament. And a special salute to TV table referees Federico "Pidik" Lingan and Philip Villalon for impeccable officiating.
http://www.mb.com.ph/SPRT2007040391112.html
Corteza – this kid is good
By Ed Picson
LEE VAN Corteza looks younger than his 28 years. He also talks and acts like he doesn’t have a care in the world. Last Saturday however, from the time he was introduced as one of the finalists in the 2nd BSCP National Pool Championships, Corteza had affected a dead-serious mien, so uncharacteristic of his normally easy disposition.
The reed-thin Davao native, who looks even younger with the pair of earrings he sports, looked almost dour as he took his place across the other finalist, Marlon Manalo, who in contrast, was smiling and confident.
The night before, the two had disposed of separate rivals. Manalo made short work of Antonio Lining (11-5), who seemed unable to get good positions on the table, usually having to push-out after his break.
Corteza on the other hand, figured in what has to be the most dramatic match of the tournament against the revered Dennis Orcullo.
He led early in the match, only to have ex-fisherman from Surigao catch him in the end-game, forcing a hill-hill duel in a race-to-11 duel. Orcullo, having won the lag, broke in the 21st rack and after a brief exchange, found himself with only four balls left to sink.
But there was a difficult shot at the 5-ball, which loomed as Corteza’s golden opportunity to come back to the table, if Orcullo missed it.
Dennis, the Philippines’ "Money-game King" successfully executed a masterful double bank shot that had the crowd at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium going wild.
It was only a matter of time, and Corteza admitted afterward that after that spectacular shot by Orcullo, he was resigned to defeat. But the gods of pool had other things in mind. Faced with a relatively simple shot to the 6-ball in the side-pocket, Orcullo inexplicably flubbed it.
Corteza, wide-eyed and gleeful, could not thank his lucky stars enough as he approached the table and claimed his ticket to the finals.
We observed Orcullo nailed to his seat by his lonesome, staring blankly at the now-empty table, chomping vigorously on gum for at least 10 minutes after the match. Corteza came over to our TV commentary position and bemusedly remarked to us in Visayan, "Can you believe what happened, ‘noy? I don’t even know how I sank those last three balls! I didn’t think I was going back to the table!"
His championship duel with Manalo the following day was no less dramatic. After several racks of textbook style play between the two, Manalo was ahead in what was shaping up to be a dreary match marked by several errors by the two seemingly tense finalists.
Then Corteza suddenly changed gears, finally flashing his usual smile and derring-do. I had earlier remarked that when "Van-Van" was on, he was almost unbeatable. He apparently flicked the "on" button as the game went into the crucial stages.
Corteza took on some shots that stumped everyone, including me and my fellow ABC Sports commentators Bob Guerrero and Emil de la Paz (Andy Jao was attending his son’s graduation at the Ateneo; congratulations, Atom!). This led Guerrero to remark "I guess the mark of a good pool player is when he makes us commentators look bad".
Several times Corteza defied smart and prudent play and instead fired off dazzling but danger-fraught shots which would normally be anathema in such a situation with R500,000 on the line. But Corteza apparently plays best when he taunts the odds and just goes for it.
Needless to say, Corteza is our National Pool Champion for 2007. Manalo settled for the P250K runner-up prize. The final score, 13-11.
Which takes me back to the 2001 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur when Corteza snatched the gold medal from his idol, the legendary Efren "Bata" Reyes. As Corteza downplayed his victory, typically attributing it to luck, Reyes whispered in my ear in Tagalog: "Don’t believe him. His play here had nothing to do with luck, that kid is good."
* * * * *
A word about the tournament…it was one of the best-organized and well-run tournaments I have ever covered. From the format, pairings, scheduling and other myriad details, the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines showed why international players and officials have signified their desire to come back for more after the initial staging of the World Pool Championship here last year.
As a matter of fact, several foreign players had requested to be allowed to participate in the National Championships, but BSCP chair Yen Makabenta politely turned them down, saying the tournament was for Filipinos only.
Kudos to Makabenta, BSCP President Ernie Fajardo and their staff for a successful tournament. And a special salute to TV table referees Federico "Pidik" Lingan and Philip Villalon for impeccable officiating.
pool whiz said:i think snooky is still playing competitively on the money games circuit...he has completely shun international competition and concentrated more on the local scene.......
thanks for the info, pool whiz. how do you think villanueva matches up with the other filipino young guns, i.e. orcullo, kiamco, corteza, manalo, gabica, valle? care to rank them?
Renegade said:
I firmly believed Snooky belongs to this strong young tier of upcoming Pinoy players...problem is...he don't have a backer to support his international quest...so when nobody's willing to finance your career, you are, most likely, relegated all the time to the local scene...as what dozens of them out there are doing.... 
Sorry my friend, Snooky is way past his prime. My 17 yr old Renemar gives him the wild8 in 9 or 10-Ball and Renemar gets the wild 7&9 from Dennis level players in 10-Ball. Plus Snooky isn't considered young anymore being in his forties. I will post a photo of a group of young guys with their long hippie hair (circa '70s) Who are in the picture? Efren, Django, Luat and Snooky.pool whiz said:
Valle is considered the weakest among the ones you mentioned and there are over 30 more guys before you see Snooky's name if the ranking is for any of the modern games. But if the game is rotation the Snooky may move up 10 notches. Experience with complicated patterns is a plus for him.Renegade said:
If I would compare snooky to any american pool player, he would most likely be Nick Varner. the guy plays a lot of safeties, same as Nick does. both are over their prime and won't be that as competitive when they were young. If rotation is played in international competition, I do believe he has what it takes to enter and sponsors won't be that hard to find.
Snooky is nearing his 50s, waaay passed his prime. The last time I saw him play
Rotation against Efren, the spot was 33-87. He was even given by a 4'11", 90
lb. guy who goes by the name of Allan "Surigao" Cuartero, 45-75. Allan
breaks like a wild man, very deceptive for his frame. Here's a pic of Snooky:
Rotation against Efren, the spot was 33-87. He was even given by a 4'11", 90
lb. guy who goes by the name of Allan "Surigao" Cuartero, 45-75. Allan
breaks like a wild man, very deceptive for his frame. Here's a pic of Snooky:
bandido said:
To be fair to Snooky, he's had his time in the spotlight as a Asian Games Gold Medal Winner with Gandy Valle in the 9-ball doubles. Not a lot of players can boast winning a Gold Medal in the Asian Games.
But Snooky has been forced into the background as new emerging talent has come forward. This recent National Pool Championships he failed to qualify for the main draw, just to show you the depth of talent that has shown up since.
Wow. thanks for the info, guys. He's in his 40s??? You know, he doesn't look that old. I got the impression that he was almost the same age as Valle. But then again, all the filipinos don't look their age (I wouldn't be surprised if you tell me that Valle is already in his 40s, too). Parica looks younger than Efren!
Does that mean that Snookie (should have been a snooker player) should be grouped with the veterans like Reyes, Bustamante, Luat, Lining, Parica, Andam, et. al.? And where do we group Alcano?? With the veterans of the young guns?
It's kinda scary to think about the depth of talent the Philippines has in terms of pool. Now even the ladies are getting in on the act! That Rubilen Amit nearly won the WPBA (was it her first try?) is testament to that.
Does that mean that Snookie (should have been a snooker player) should be grouped with the veterans like Reyes, Bustamante, Luat, Lining, Parica, Andam, et. al.? And where do we group Alcano?? With the veterans of the young guns?
It's kinda scary to think about the depth of talent the Philippines has in terms of pool. Now even the ladies are getting in on the act! That Rubilen Amit nearly won the WPBA (was it her first try?) is testament to that.
bandido said:
mea culpa...the word 'young' is really inappropriate to refer to Snooky...what i meant was that despite his age (which is way beyond the young tiers of today)..he can still match it out with the likes of Orcollo, Valle, Manalo...that is what i believe in....
Renegade said:
I agree that after Rubilen Amit's performance in the WPC, a lot of people should be looking out for the lady players from the Philippines. In fact, Amit only placed 3rd in the recent national championship in the Philippines behind 2 players that I have never even heard of. Did you see her demolish Ga Young Kim in the live broadcast? GY Kim did not even know what hit her. Kim was pouting through out the match as if she could not believe what she was seeing !!! That just proved that her victory over Allison Fisher was not a fluke. If she had performed like that in the final match vs Pan, then she would have had a good chance of winning. It was her nerves that did her in. Some more international exposure playing against good players and she should do good in the next WPC. Watch out for Amit. She really impressed me. I do not really pay attention to women's pool but I loved seeing her play.
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Amit got potential alright. she just choked on the final push. she needs more international exposure to toughen her up.